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Monday, 26 November 2012

Food lovers were in “culinary heaven” as they savoured the best curry mee, nasi lemak, pasembur, rojak, Hokkien mee and char koay teow at the Battle of Penang Hawker Masters 2012 finale.

The delectable offerings, concocted by 18 leading street food vendors, proved to be a treat with the 500-strong crowd.

The event, held at Penang Times Square for the second year running, was “a sell-out” with all tickets snapped up hours before it began yesterday.

Finance analyst Benson Tan and supervisor Choo Hock Kheong were among those who sampled all 18 dishes.

The slender built duo proved that size was no indication of one's appetite.

Retired chef Lee Yoke Weng lamented that the two-hour time-frame for visitors to sample the dishes was not enough.

The Star executive director and group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, who was among the judges, said that as a Penangite, he was truly passionate about street food. He said besides taste, healthy cooking and hygiene was also important.TV food celebrity host Jason Yeoh, better known as Axian, said judging was especially challenging as the food prepared had its distinct styles and flavours.

Three of the winners also bagged the most popular stall in their respective categories.

Curry mee master Lai Khoon Seong, 22, was surprised with both wins: “I have been helping my mother since I was 13 and took over the business in Perak Road four years ago.”

Nasi lemak champion Hashim Ismail, who also clinched both titles, said he spent five years researching its traditional taste.

Another hawker master who won both titles was Hokkien mee seller Cheong Hun Meng, 58, who has been in the business for 13 years.

“I'm very particular about the proportion of the ingredients for my dish,” said Cheong, whose stall is at the Farlim Genting Coffeeshop.